Buffy's birthday was coming up faster than she wanted to think about. It was her first birthday without Dawn and the Scoobies and she was a little depressed. Jon noticed her quietness and had asked if she was alright but she always said, "I'm good." She knew that he knew she wasn't but he didn't press and she loved him for it.
One afternoon Hoshi was at her console when she stiffened in surprise and looked up, "Captain, when is Buffy's birthday?" she asked. Malcolm and Trip both looked at the Captain who shook his head, "I don't know, why?"
Hoshi frowned, "I have a message for her with the tag, 'Happy Birthday Buffy.' It's from Angel."
The Captain sat silently for a minute, "I know where I can find out. T'pol, you've got the bridge, I'll be right back."
Dr. Phlox looked up when the Captain walked in, "Hello Captain, what can I do for you today?"
"Can you look up Buffy's birthday?" he asked and the Doctor went to his console and tapped a few keys, "It's today."
Jon's face was solemn, "Well, now I know. Should I ignore it? Why didn't she tell me?" He paced for a minute while the Doctor watched.
"I would respect her wishes. If she had wanted you to know she would have mentioned it."
Jon spun around, "I love her. It wouldn't be right to just ignore it!"
The Doctor shrugged, "Then how about a nice dinner for two."
Jon nodded slowly, "That could work. Thanks Doc." And he left.
Jon strode back onto the bridge and sat down, shaking his head. The bridge crew looked at him, "It's today."
Hoshi looked thoughtful, "She didn't tell us for a reason. Should we just let it go?"
Trip sighed with exasperation, "You're a woman, you tell us!"
Hoshi shook her head, "Buffy is Buffy."
T'pol shifted slightly and spoke, "Perhaps since she's lost her family, friends and everything familiar to her she decided it was too painful to celebrate this year."
Everyone was silent on the bridge and Jon nodded, "Then that's what we'll do. This year. Next year is different though." He took the crew's silence for assent and everyone went back to work.
Buffy had canceled classes for the day, opting to sit in the Captain's mess and look out the window to watch the stars go by. She had brought Porthos with her and he was lying beside her on the seat, sleeping. The door slid open and Greg was about to come in when he noticed Buffy, tears sliding silently down her cheeks and stepped back, letting the door slide shut. He stood there thoughtfully, wondering what he should do, then went to call the Captain.
Jon went to the kitchen, curious about why Greg had called. He walked in and his Chef was chopping vegetables.
"What's up Greg?" he asked.
The Chef looked up, "Buffy is in the Captain's mess, crying and looking out the window."
Jon sighed and rubbed a hand though his hair in frustration, "It's her birthday, but we guess she's missing her friends and family and didn't tell anyone. I want to respect her wishes but is it right not to do anything?" His eyes met the other man's.
Greg shrugged, "I'm gay, I couldn't advise you intelligently."
Jon laughed, then sighed. "Dr. Phlox suggested a romantic dinner for two?"
Greg nodded thoughtfully, "How about something French, candles, tablecloth and a flower on a small table in your quarters? The room has been cleaned already."
Jon smiled, "It wouldn't be too much work?"
Greg looked at his Captain, "Buffy is well liked by everybody on board. She isn't a snob and the mess crews worship her. It's no trouble, believe me."
"Thanks Greg."
Buffy finally gathered herself up, took Porthos back to their quarters and went to find something constructive to do. Malcolm saw her walking down the hall and began 'phase one' of keeping Buffy out of her quarters for the rest of the afternoon.
"Hi Buffy, just the person I was looking for." He smiled and she smiled back.
"What do you need Mal?"
"I need some help in the armory, are you willing to accept this mission Ms. Summers?" He teased.
She laughed, "Absolutely Lt. Reed." They worked on retrofitting the phase rifles with stronger charges that Malcolm had designed with Trip. Buffy was grateful, it kept her mind off of the day and what it signified.
About 1800 the com sounded, "Captain Archer to Buffy." Buffy stomach growled and Malcolm laughed. As she walked to the com she stuck out her tongue at him, then pressed the button, "What's up?"
"Are you off duty yet?" he asked and Buffy looked at Malcolm who nodded, "Yeah, the slave driver says I can go." Malcolm threw a piece of one of the phase rifles at her, which she caught with a grin.
"Can you meet me in our quarters?"
"I'll see you in a minute. Buffy out." She helped him clean up and he shooed her out, "Go, you've worked hard and I appreciate the help."
Buffy turned to him, walking over to kiss him lightly on the cheek. "You've helped me more." She smiled and left. She walked quickly to their quarters, eager to see Jon. She had been wrapped up in her loss for the better part of a week and he had been supportive, giving her space. Now she needed to be with him.
The door opened and Buffy was startled. The lights had been dimmed and a small table covered in a white tablecloth, a lit candle, a fragrant lily floating in water, and two place settings of china were on top.
Her startled eyes met Jon's and she smiled, "How did you know?" she scolded lightly.
He shook his head, "My secret." He came over and placed a kiss on her head, folding her in a hug. "Are you ok?" he asked quietly and she nodded, resting her head against his broad chest.
"Yeah, better. Sorry about being so sad faced lately." He tightened his hug until she squeaked.
"Let me in next time, ok?"
Buffy was delighted with the 3 course French meal. There was a delicate soup, roast chicken with rosemary butter sauce, a small salad and a strawberry cheesecake that made her sigh in delight. As she finished up the last bit of strawberry off of her dessert plate, she smiled. "You're taking care of me aren't you?"
"I love you, when you're sad I worry." He took her hand and played with her fingers while she watched his eyes glow in the candlelight.
"I don't like being sad, it just seemed to creep up on me." She said softly.
"Next time let me in or I'm gonna tie you to the bed until you tell me."
"And this is bad, why?" she joked and Jon was relieved to see the shadows missing from her eyes.
He grinned, "Do you want to be tied up?"
"We-ell." A laugh, "Nope, but I wouldn't mind if you took me to bed." He stood quickly and went to the comm., "Greg, we're finished."
The Steward came in and removed all of their dishes, then removed the table and accessories, presenting the lily to Buffy with a flourish that made her giggle. "Thank you kind sir." She said and he smiled and left.
Jon pulled her up with a smile and into his arms. His mouth came down, slanting over hers in a passion filled kiss. Her mouth tasted like strawberries and cream and her tongue dueled with his, making his cock stand at attention. "Buffy." He whispered and cupped her neck pulling her back for a deeper kiss. He was feeling so many feelings, desire, passion, love, need, want.
Buffy's hands were busy unzipping his zipper and removing his uniform. He moved his arms out of the sleeves to let it drop around his ankles. Buffy pulled back, both of them needing to breath. His t-shirt came off next and his underwear hid nothing. Her hands went up and undid her ponytail, letting her hair loose around her shoulders. She could see the need in his eyes and felt the answering pull in her own. She pulled off her shirt, then her bra as he pulled down her pants and underwear. Hands collided and there was breathless laughter as they touched and felt and moaned.
Jon's hands moved over her soft, curved bottom and pulled her tight against him, enjoying the moan that it pulled from her. They moved to the bed and made love, long and passionately. As he thrust into her over and over she wrapped her legs around him, pulling him in deeper. She clutched his back, digging her nails in as she came closer to her climax. Jon shook his head, "God Buffy, I love you!" He said and watched as she arched in his arms, flying apart, crying out as the sensations flooded her body. Her muscles tightening like a vice made his cock jerk and he could feel himself fall, his orgasm so strong his vision blurred.
Buffy was panting and she could feel Jon trembling over her. "It's a wonder we ever leave this room." Buffy said in amazement as she ran a shaky hand over his back.
Jon lifted up his head, dazed still, "If we could get away with it I'd keep you here forever." He moved away and lay on his side, cuddling her to him.
Buffy closed her eyes, feeling his heartbeat through the contact with his skin. She could almost feel her heart beat in time with his and sighed. "Thanks for dinner and this." She lazily waved a hand over them and he chuckled. "It was my pleasure. Really."
Jon finally was steady enough to get up and pulled away, making Buffy whisper quietly. "Don't go."
He kissed her, "I want to show you something." Buffy eyes opened as she watched him dig through a drawer in the closet. His ass was gorgeous and Buffy stirred a little to see better. "Nice ass." She commented and he threw her a laughing look over his shoulder, "Thanks."
He turned and muttered, "Ha, found you." He stood and closed the closet and walked over to her with a small box in his hand.
Buffy sat up in curiosity. "What is it?" Her heart started to beat fast as he kneeled on one knee. He opened the box and there nestled inside was a marquis cut emerald ring with such a glow that it looked alive.
Buffy covered her mouth in shock, her eyes flying to his uncertain amber ones, "Buffy will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Buffy was so flooded with love that she couldn't speak, only stare into his eyes. All of her dreams were just within reach. All she had to do was take a leap of faith. "Yes." She whispered and his eyes widened, "What?" Buffy laughed, a sound of joy and wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight.
"Yes, yes, yes! I'll marry you!!"
Jon closed his suddenly wet eyes and hugged her back. "Whew, I was scared to death." His voice was muffled in her hair.
She pulled back and held out her hand, "Can I see it?" Nodding, Jon slid the ring on her finger, kissing her hand and they admired it together.
"It's an Enolian fire emerald." Buffy looked up, an idea in her eyes and he nodded to her unspoken question, "This is the excuse for why they thought we were smugglers. The Enolian guard gave it back to me after you bandaged him."
She shook her head, "Wow, it is absolutely beautiful." Looking up she asked, "You've been planning this for how long?"
He smiled shyly,
"Since the moment on Keto Enol and saw the ring and thought of you."
